Characterization of Wollastonite-Copper Nanoparticles Synthesized by a Wet Method

Abstract

A wet method technique was used to prepare nano wollastonite ceramic material doped with 5 % CuO. The gel was fired up to 550 °C. The powder was examined using XRD, HRTEM and SEM supplemented with EDAX. X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) showed the development of quartz, wollastonite and olivine with/without tenorite. The antibacterial and antifungal activity of the particles was estimated by the zone of the inhibition method. It confirmed that the addition of CuO to wollastonite enriches the inhibitory action against all the tested strains, but the growth of the inhibition zone was found to be more significant against gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Therefore, the Cu ions might have interacted with the bacterial membrane by initiating mechanical damage to their membrane.